Italy

You are here

In Italy an increasing number of postgraduate course are being offered in English, and Indian interest in Italy is up - to nearly 1000 Indian international students per year. Academic standards are high, with 18 Italian universities featuring in the Top 400 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016.

Basic information

Italy is a parliamentary republic located on the Mediterranean in the South of Europe. Its’ capital, Rome, was for centuries the capital of the Roman Empire and a political and cultural centre of western civilisation. Italy’s economy is 4th largest among European Countries and 9th globally, and it is the 2nd largest manufacturing economy in Europe. The Human Development Index is 0.881 (OSCE, 2013), life expectancy is 81.4 years, and the country has a population of 60 million. Italy is one of the six Founder Members of the European Union, and a member of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the G7, G8 and G20. Italy boasts the greatest number of UNESCO world heritage sites in the world and it is also the home of the oldest European University - the University of Bologna, which was established in 1088. Many of Italy’s scientists have made an outstanding contribution to modern science, in particular in physics, chemistry, material science and medicine. Art and culture play a very important role in a country where beauty, design, good taste and fashion are an everyday imperative. This coupled with a high quality of University education makes Italy an ideal place for living and studying.

The Higher Education System

Italy has played an important role in European higher education reform, providing its contribution to the ‘European Area of Higher Education’, which is being implemented across the European Union with a view to encouraging International student mobility. International student numbers are up, and Indian interest in Italy has increased, with UNESCO statistics showing close to 1000 Indian students travelled to Italy for tertiary level education in 2012. Structurally, the Italian education system comprises 96 public and private universities, 12 national research centres and 132 institutes for art and music. These institutions offer studies at 3 levels, in line with the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area. An increasing number of post-graduate courses are offered in English, although students are able to attend Italian language courses either at the state universities, such as the University for Foreigners in Perugia (www.unistrapg.it) or in Siena (www.unistrasi.it), or at other private institutions authorized to issue the required certification. Tuition fees vary considerably according to the type of institution (public or private) and type of course. As a very general guide, tuition fees in public universities start from 80,000 INR, while private Universities are more expensive. Living costs are somewhere in the region of 60,000 INR - though may be higher in big cities. Italy has a high standard of education and a total of 18 Italian universities feature in the Global Top 400 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016, of which Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa (112) is the highest ranking. The QS rankings 2015/2016 also rank 7 Italian Institutes of Higher Education in the Top 400.

Scholarships

International students are entitled to the same student assistance services as Italian students including scholarships, dining hall services and housing. Scholarships may be available for Indian students from national and regional governments, and Italian universities and Higher Education Institutions. In Italy foreign students can avail themselves of scholarships offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAEIC).

This website has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of the implementing partner (AETS) and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Contents received from the participating EU higher education institutions have been used on the website with minimal editing and are compiled and presented in good faith to serve public interest. The respective institutions are responsible for the accuracy of their submissions.

NOTE FOR THE ATTENTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE EU MEMBER STATES

EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION VIRTUAL FAIR (EHEVF) INDIA 2018: 25-28 Oct

Dear Madam/Sir, Greetings from New Delhi!

The EU has a relatively long history of co-operation with India, including in Higher Education and Science and Technology. The EU is particularly active in increasing participation of more Indian students and teachers studying, researching, and teaching in Europe, in particular through European scholarships and institutional cooperation through ERASMUS+ program and, for teaching and research through Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action and Jean Monnet Programme. About 5,000 Indian students and scholars have already received such European grants. With about 50,000 Indian students in the EU right now, Europe is the 2nd preferred destination of Indian Students wishing to study abroad.

Following on the success of the European Higher Education Virtual Fair (EHEVF) India in 2015 and 2016, the Delegation of the European Union to India is announcing the European Higher Education Virtual Fair (EHEVF) India 2018.

The aim behind EHEVF 2018, being organized under the EU Public Diplomacy in India through Policy and Outreach Partnerships Project (EUPOP India), is to promote the EU as a destination for higher education and research for Indian students and researchers and to support the EU Member States and EU-based Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in their efforts towards internationalization of higher education.

The Virtual Fair, which will be held from Thursday 25th October to Sunday 28th October 2018, will provide an online platform to EU HEIs to reach out to future students in India through digital marketing including social media, web presence and webinars.

The Virtual Fair comprises of four main elements:

1.A dedicated website hosting information about the participating EU HEIs which will be promoted amongst the Indian students. Each participating HEI and EUMS will get one webpage/ micro-site on the EHEVF website: www.study-europe.net

2.A series of webinars will be arranged during the Virtual Fair to enable the HEIs to directly reach out to prospective students in India on higher education opportunities in the EU. Each participating HEI will get one or more speaking slots during the Virtual Fair.

3.A dedicated digital marketing campaign will be run from August – October to attract the attention of Indian students on social media channels to which participating HEIs and EUMS will be invited to cross-link and collaborate.

4.A partnership campaign will be run with select Indian universities/ HEIs in key cities across the country who will be approached to publicize EHEVF amongst their students and to host EHEVF 2018 webinar screenings in their premises. It is expected that EU HEIs will have access to large number of Indian students and academic community through this direct channel as well.

We invite you to participate in the EHEVF 2018 by expressing your institution’s interest by responding to this email. There is no participation fee for EU HEIs - they should be officially registered/ recognized in one of the EU Member States. At this juncture we would need the following information from you:

More than 5000 Indian students participated in the Virtual Fair held in 2016 which comprised of two phases: In July, 45 webinar sessions were held over 4 days with participation of 26 EU HEIs, and in September 80 webinar sessions were held over 4 days with 8 country sessions, 12 thematic sessions and the rest were taken by 22 HEIs from the EU. In 2015, more than 3200 Indian students participated in the Virtual Fair webinars.

The Virtual Fair offers you an unmatched opportunity to reach out to and engage with potential students from India from the comfort of your home or office, free of cost.

We look forward to having your expression of interest as soon as possible, preferably within a week from the date of this letter.